Coin-actuated mechanism.



No. 825,167. PATENTED JULY 3, i905.

J. W. WHITLOK. GOIN AGTUATED MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED AUG.14,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATE .TED J LY 3, 1906.

EGHNISM.

. WHITLOCK. ATED ION FILED AUG. 14. 190:

ffi-

NTED STATES JOHN WV; WHITLOCK, OF RlSlNG SUN, INDAN.

Specification of Letters Eat-,entA

raten-ted July e, reco;

Application tiled August 14, 1905. Serial No. 274,182.

T all whom it mtg/ conceive' v Be it known that l, Jorim W. WHrrLocK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rising Sun, in the county of Ohio and State of indiana, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Coin-ictuated Mechanisms, of which the following a specification.

The purpose of this invention is to prevent the electric contacts oi circuits closed by pre scribed coins from corroding by sparking and to keepsaid contacts clean, so as to insure the closing of the circuit each time a coin comes into proper position, which is essential to the operativeness and reliability of mechanisms oi the type aforesaid.

The invention also provides for the automatic operation of the machine in the event of a number of coins being deposited therein at one time or in rapid succession, thereby avoiding the annoyance incident to waiting for the completion of each .operation of the machine betere the next coin may be deposited to insure a repetition, as wellas adding to the earnings oi the machine, since a player may become interested in the automatic feature of the machine in rendering service for each and every coin placed therein and is more likely to deposit a number of coins at one time than if required to place them singly one at the end of each operation.

The invention further contemplates combining with the pneumatic action and as a art thereof two bellows the one for actuating the cut-cti and coin-release and the other cooperating with the said first-mentioned bellows to el'ect a resetting of the parts preliminary to the next operation, when another coin drops into position to again close the circuit.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to .acquire a knowledge of the details oi construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to behad to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to diiferent forms and conditions by changes in. the structure and minordetails without departing from the spirit or essential features thereoi, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, lin which* Figure iis a perspective view oi s coin-nctuated mechanism embodying the invention, the component parts being illustrated in operative relation disassociated from supporting means. Fig. 22 is a horizontal section ol' a portion oi the mechanism on the line :c of Fig. l, illustrating the two bellows in full lines. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the ren lation of the parts when the coin cut-ofi` and release actuating bellows is compressed. Fig. i is a detail view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, illustrating the relation of the cooperating elements when the resetting-bellows is collapsed and the coin cut-ofi and release actuating bellows expanded. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the resettingbellows, the valve controlled thereby for regulating the vent of the pneumatic action gov erning the coin cut-oil and release actuating bellows. Fig. is a vertical transverse section of the coinway on the line z z oi Fig. i looking to the right, showing the parts on a larger scale. Fig. 7 is a detail vie. f in elevation of the coin-actuated mechanism. Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view of a valve on a larger scale.

Corresponding and like arts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

T he invention is particularly designed as an improvement on the mechanism disclosed inlatent No. 658,134, granted to me September 18, i900, for self-playing musical instrument, although it is contemplated to adapt it to coin-actuated mechanisms of any structural type employing a pneumatic action or susceptible of use in connection with bellows or like pneumatic contrivancos.

ln the accompanying drawings the numeral l indicates a tracker-bar; 2, a musical or note sheet for coperation therewith in the well-known manner; 3, a pneumatic action consisting of a box and valved compartments; i, an electric-rnotor; 5, a vacuumcreating device, such s a bellows, for withdrawing the air from-tile exhaust-chest oi the pneumatic action, and-6 a colin-vs I These parts are substantially the same as disclosed in my patent herein referred to,

The circuit including the electric motor il comprises wires 7, 5l, l), and ll) and contacts il and l2, the latter being lined and the lormer movable. A latcli-spring i3 normally exerts a pressure upon the movable contact il to hold it in a in'edcterxnined position. The contact il has its upper portion reduced to i'orm a'slioulder i4., which arrests the dcs'cent of a proscribed coin (l, by-means of which the circuit is closcd'and the mechanism started. The circuit-closer is located at IOO e o indicated at fr und niav be a batter or d *e 1 J namo, to the poles ot' which the respective lwires Q and 1'() are electrically connected. Starting from the generator 17 the circuit is through wire to contact 12, coin C, contact 11, wires S and 7, motor 4, and through wire back to the generator 17.

To prevent sparking upon breaking the circuit by the dischanaeI of the coin C, the tollowing means have been devised: A bar 18 is slidably mounted upon a suitable support 19 between guides 2U, which preferably eonsist of screws ict into said support. The bar 18 is arranged to clear the contact 12 and is pointed at its active end, as indicated-at 21, said point being arranged to engage with vun edge of thc coin C above a horizontal line passed through its center. a result of this arrangement ol' the ba-r 1t; a forward movement thereof toward the movable contact 1l will serve to press the coin 13 downward and at the sans time to move the contact l1 away l'rom the contact 12 to ed'ect a discharge olthe coin (l when the same clears the shoulder l-1. As the bar 1S advances and ellects a discharge of the coin (f it also ellects a separation oi said coin from those innnediatelv above in the coinway t3, forming a suppoi t therefor and obstructinpr their pussage through the machine. A blade 22 is electrically connected with thc/wire 9 and r contact- 12 and normali)T exerts a pressure upon the bar 18 and is in electric connection therewith. A second blade 23 is electrically connected with the wires 7 and 8 and is normally spaced from the bar 18. A projection 24, forming a part of or attached to the bar 18, is beveled at its front end and is adapted to make electrical connect-ion with the blade .23 u on the forward movement of the har 1S, t ereby establishing and completing the circuit through the blades 22 and 23 and the bar 18 preliminarv to braking olE the c ircuil by discharge of the coin (l from between the conH tai-Its 11 and 12. llence no spark is produced at the instant the coin passes from bc-' tween the said contacts 11 and. 12. 'lhe blades 22, and aremetallic springs, and the bar 18 and projecting portion 24 are likewise of metal.y The projection 24 is oi some length to maintain frictional contact with the. blade 23 during the sliding movement oi the barlS, therebyT insuring closingr of the circuit until the bar 18 has nearly reached the limit of its return stroke, when the part 24 clears the blade 23 and the circuit is interrupted. The bar 18 constitutes, in effect, a out--off and a release, since upon its forward movement it serves to support the coin above the one located between the contacts 11 andb12 and at the same time acts to effect discharge of the latter. A link 25 connects the coin cut-ofi and release 18 with an actue.","'\.gbellows 25, which is connected with a valvecharnber of the action-case 3 by means of a tube 27. iVhen the bellows`26 or similar pneumatic appliance is collapsed, the bar 18 is moved forward, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 3.

When the belloI 's 26 is expanded, the bar 18 isreturned to or occupies a normal position, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 4.

In order o clear understanding of the operation of the mechanism, a brief description of the pneumatic act-iony is deemed necessary. The box or action-case 3 is subdivided to provide an exhaust-chest 15 and a plurality of valve-chambers 28. An openn ing 29 is formed in the outer wall of'each valve-chamber 28. and a corresponding opening 30 provided in the partltion 31, Sepam rating they exhaust-chest 15 from the valvechambere. 28. in coincident relation and are controlled by a valve 32, which upon its inward movement closes the opening 30 and upon its outward movement closes the o ieninv 29. Openings 29 constitute vents and admit ot the several The openings 29 and 30 are 9 lOO bellows or like pneumatic contrivance ex.

hausting or venting. lVhen an opening 30 is uncovered and the coi-respondio(Y openlnfr 29 closed, communicationis establis ieu between the selected bellows ancbthc exhausbchest, and said bellows is collapsed or operated to clcct actuation of the part'counected therewith and dependinguponmovement thereby. A dia hraem 33 is connected to the stem 34 of cac 1 valve 32 and covers an opening in a side o f the exhaust-chest. A vent 35 is rovided in the. lower port-ion of each va vcstem 34 to admit of exhausting; the. air below the diaphragm 33. A tube 3G connects each openinr of the tracker-bar 1 with an opening ol the action-case, cooperating with a diaphragm 33. When the opening of the tracker-bar is closed by an imperiorate por-- tion of the music or note sheet 2, the diap'lu'agm 33 corresponding to said opening is collapsed and the corresponding valve 32 is moved inward and closes the openingl 3() and uncovers the corresponding opening 29, there-by permitting venting,r or exhaustion oi the air l'rom the bellows connected there with. is uncovered by a perforation in the note or music sheet registering therewith, air is admitted into the tube 36 and the diaphragm 33 ouicklv expands and causes the valve 32 IIO When an o oninein the tracker-bar P is 1 saaie? cllapse end is actuated so of the :oai-t connected 5'" oellovvjs 37 is cono. hy tolse 38 with one oi valve is fidapted te control e C, y ine f 7liicli the vent to the i einher with lich bellows 26 i'egnletef. il tribe 4G extends controlled by the dief he valve-chamber, through connects, and ie adapted f naive For conven el n 'ovided and attached to -las opening e2, with ntie li@ connects and `afhic is ive 3Q. The

nged to the non ey means A valve of the r uit to the motor by a 'L n!" 7 "j cellen/s ce may ce coipening e@ in the note or :rn-usic :sheet 2 the diaphragm 33j, coverin the opening eetion-case con'iinnnica on with the o, will expand and movi. ie valve 32 fo to mico i the openi J 30 and admit no ol' he l iff exhausted from loellows l 'thdrar-f 'the rod le and perto close, with the resultthat 'aoln'agni controlling the opening of in connection with the tnl e cnil the ".falv'e Qn moved to egister with en opening in the tracker 5 -with which the tnoe 26 corfimiimcates,

1&3 aF/ close the L n .ig 31T) and to uncover the vent 2Q', tlnfrelii rliei'nitting tlieliellows 'Ztl to ex- 'wand entonwtically and return the cnt-oit El to normal Aposition. These ions are indicated in Fig. Il. The flows 37 is provided with a trip ids into longitudinal slot 5S 19 and oriented. 3, gnog'eoted trom tit l) limi t 7 vill se lows should incient to accomplisn .its

cinefili@ i .result do; vaonninfpree .chiesi teaeannie e minding the normal. position 'and again unseating the valve 39.

Near the upper end of the coinway 6 is arranged a device to )revent the withdrawal of 'a coin after 'Doing f eposited and starting the 'machine This device consists of a lever 50, Weighted at its lower end and rovided atits upper endv with a jaw 51, Whici is adapted to be projected across the coinwav and bind a string or like vconnection attached to a coin with the intention of defranding themachine.. A projection 52, extended inward from the lever 5U, normallyA obstructs the passage through the coinway, and upon del/ositing a coin the latter moves the projection 52 aside and automatically operates the lever 50 so as to project the jaw 5l across the coiim'a'y and clamping of the string' attached to the coin, thereby preventing the latter from reaching the circuit-closure, so as to eiiect bridging thereof to complete the circuit and e'lcct operation of the machine. A number of coins may he placed in the machine and ii/'hon deposited stand in the coin- 'vfay ylhe lowerxnost coinl closes the circuit and the motor by coming between the contacts li and l2, as indicated in Fig. 7, and

when the har i3 is shot forward, es indicated in 3, it separates the lowermost coin from those above and supports the latter and at the same time effects a release of seidlowermost coin. lWhen the machine has completed an operation or played a `niece, the vbar 18 is withdrawn in the manner herein stated and the coins ir. the way 6 drop automatically, and the lowermost coin is released to again complete the circuit and to automatically start the machine for the next operation. Each coin in turn automatically drops into operative position and serves to start the machine without any care or attention on the part ot the person playing the machine.

?ziaving thus described the ii'ivention, what is claimed as new is-d i. En a ii1.nctilated n'iechanisni, the con1- `linietion ol a starting; mechanism adapted to loe actuated hy a regularly-dclposited coin, a pneumatic action, a coin cut-oil' and release, a

pneumatic actuator therefor, a valve for conation ci a starting mechanism.including a motor and adapte/i to be set in motion by means of ieg'nlarly-d.enesited coin, a pnenmatic t1 a coin en t-oii and release, a nnenv :matic actuator therefor lia-ving connection meningitis fiction, e resetting pneu.-

ln a coin-actuated. mechanism, the com` IOO IIO

release, and a vmatic actuator, a valve lor controllingl the suppl)T of exhaustion of air to the pneuniatic actuator of the coin cut-oit and release, means connected with the resetting pneumatic actuatorfor normally holding the aforesaid con trolling-Valve open, and actuating means between the resetting pneumatic actuator and the coin cut-oil and release pneumatic actuator to insure return of the latter to normal position upon operation of said pneumatic resetting-actuator.

3. In coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of starting mechanism including a motor and adapted to be set in motion by means of a regularly-deposited coin, a. pneumatic action, a coin cut-onf and release, a pneumatic actuator therefor, a pneumatic resetting-actuator, a Valve controlled therebyr for regulating the supply or exhaust of air from the pneumatic actuator of the coin cut-oilx and release7 positive connecting; means b'etween said coin cut-ofi and release and its pneumatic actuator, and a trip and stop between the pneumatic resettiiig-actuator and said coin cnt-oil' and release to effect a resettingl of the coin eut-oit' and rel ase and pneumatic actuator after said controlling-Valve has been closed.

a. In a coin-Vending; niechanism, the combination of an electric motor, a circuit therefor including; normally separated contacts which are adapted to be electrically connected by a regularly-deposited coin, blades included in said zircuit, each having electric Sealer connection with one ot said electric contacts, a coin eut-ott' and release normallyv in electrical connection with one of said blades and having a projecting portion to be brought in electrica-l connection with the other blade upon forward movement of said coin cut-cti and release for completing' the ci ren it through the said blades and cut-orf, and operating mea-ns tor said eut-off and release.

5. in combination, an electric circuit includingr an electric motor and contacts, said circuit adapted to be closed by means of regularly-deposited coin, blades electricalljT connected with each of said contacts, coin cutofi and release normallyl in electric connection with one of said blades and provided With a projecting portion to make electrical connection with the other blade when said coin cut-off and release is moved forward, a pneumatic action, a pneumatic actuator for the coin cut-off and release, a Valve for reg- 1 ulating the admission and the exhausting of air therefrom through the pneumatic action, a pneumatic actuator for said vaive, and cooperating means het-Ween the coin cut-orf and release and the resetting pneumatic actuator.

in testimony whereof i aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN i. VVHITLOUK.

lWitnesses: HORACE SHAW, EDWARD Vf. DAVXS. 

